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Overview of Cub Scouting
The Cub Scout Den & Pack Meeting Resource Guide is designed to have everything a leader needs to plan and conduct den and pack meetings. The activities found in the Resource Guide are designed to support the purposes of Cub Scouting and are chosen to help promote the overall aims of Scouting:
- To develop a boy’s character,
- Train him in good citizenship,
- And encourage him to become more fit—physically, mentally, and morally.
Purposes of Cub Scouting
Cub Scouting is a year-round, family-oriented part of the Boy Scouts of America program designed for boys who are in first through fifth grades (or are 7, 8, 9, and 10 years of age). Parents, leaders, and organizations work together to achieve the 10 purposes of Cub Scouting:
- Character Development
- Spiritual Growth
- Good Citizenship
- Sportsmanship and Fitness
- Family Understanding
- Respectful Relationships
- Personal Achievement
- Friendly Service
- Fun and Adventure
- Preparation for Boy Scouts
All the activities leaders plan and boys enjoy should relate to one or more of these purposes.
The Methods of Cub Scouting
Cub Scouting uses eight specific methods to achieve Scouting’s aims of helping boys and young adults build character, train in the responsibilities of citizenship, and develop personal fitness. These methods are incorporated into all aspects of the program. Through these methods, Cub Scouting happens in the lives of boys and their families.
1. The ideals: The Cub Scout Promise, the Law of the Pack, and the Cub Scout sign, handshake,motto, and salute all teach good citizenship and contribute to a boy’s sense of belonging.
2. The den: Boys like to belong to a group. The den is the place where boys learn new skills and develop interests in new things. They have fun in den meetings, during indoor and outdooractivities, and on field trips. As part of a small group of six to eight boys, they are able to learn sportsmanship and good citizenship. They learn how to get along with others. They learn how to do their best, not just for themselves but also for the den.
3. Advancement: Recognition is important to boys. The advancement plan provides fun for the boys, gives them a sense of personal achievement as they earn badges, and strengthens family understanding. Cub Scout leaders and adult family members work with boys on advancement projects.
3. Advancement: Recognition is important to boys. The advancement plan provides fun forthe boys, gives them a sense of personal achievement as they earn badges, and strengthens family understanding. Cub Scout leaders and adult family members work with boys on advancement projects.
4. Family involvement: Family involvement is an essential part of Cub Scouting. When we speak of parents or families, we are not referring to any particular family structure. Some boys live with two parents, some live with one parent, some have foster parents, and some live with other relatives or guardians. Whomever a boy calls his family is his family in Cub Scouting.
5. Activities: In Cub Scouting, boys participate in a wide variety of den and pack activities, such as games, projects, skits, stunts, songs, outdoor activities, and trips. Also, the Cub Scout Academics and Sports program and Cub Scouting’s Fun for the Family include activities that encourage personal achievement and family involvement.
6. Home- and neighborhood-centered: Cub Scouting meetings and activities happen in urban areas, in rural communities, in large cities, in small towns—wherever boys live.
7. The uniform: The Cub Scout uniform helps build pride, loyalty, and self-respect. Wearing the uniform to all den and pack meetings and activities also encourages a neat appearance, a sense of belonging, and good behavior.
8. Making Character Connections: Throughout the program, leaders learn to identify and use character lessons in activities so boys can learn to know, commit, and practice the 12 core values of Cub Scouting. Character Connections are included in all the methods of Cub Scouting and are the program themes for monthly pack meetings.
Cub Scouts: A Positive Place
The Boy Scouts of America emphasizes a positive place in Cub Scouting. Any Cub Scouting activity should take place in a positive atmosphere where boys can feel emotionally secure and find support, not ridicule. Activities should be positive and meaningful and should help support the purpose of the BSA.
Delivering the Cub Scout Program
The Cub Scout program can be extremely rewarding for the boys in the program and their adult leaders. At the same time, it can be challenging, especially for the new leader facing his or her first group of boys. The purpose of this Resource Guide is to break down how to deliver the program, beginning with the den meeting, such that the planning and execution are simplified and new leader confidence is increased.
Part of the inherent strength of the Cub Scout program is its organization. At its most basic, CubScouting consists of:
- A boy—The individual boy is the basic building block for Cub Scouting and is its most important element. It is only when each boy’s character, citizenship, and fitness are enhanced that the program is successful.
- A den—Each boy belongs to a den of similarly aged boys. The den is the boy’s Cub Scout family where he learns cooperation and team building, and finds support and encouragement.
- A leader—Adult leadership is critical to achieving the purposes and aims of Scouting. By example, organized presentations, and one-on-one coaching, the boy learns the value and importance of adult interaction.
- A pack—Each den is part of a larger group of boys of different ages and experience levels in Cub Scouting. The pack provides the resources for enhanced activities, opportunities for leadership,and a platform for recognition.